Differentiated+Instruction


 * What is it and why we must do it?**

On a simple level, differentiated instruction is teaching with student variance in mind. It means starting where the kids are rather than adopting a standardized approach to teaching that seems to presume that all learners of a given age or grade are essentially alike. Thus, differentiated instruction is “responsive” teaching rather than “one-size-fits-all” teaching.

A fuller definition of differentiated instruction is that a teacher proactively plans varied approaches to what students need to learn, how they will learn it, and/or how they can express what they have learned in order to increase the likelihood that each student will learn as much as he or she can as efficiently as possible. (Tomlinson, 2003, p. 151)

Link to a short video of Carol Ann Tomlinson []

Brain research suggests that when tasks are too hard for a learner, the brain "downshifts" to the limbic area of the brain that does not "think," but rather is designed to protect an individual from harm. Also, when tasks are too easy for learners, those learners do not show thoughtful brain activity, but rather display patterns that look more like the early stages of sleep. Only when tasks are moderately challenging for an individual does the brain "think" in a way that prompts learning. Once again, teachers will find it difficult to consistently find single tasks that are moderately challenging for all learners in a class that includes a range of readiness and experiential levels. From Tomlinson, C. A. (2003) pp. 153-4

What ** || Three crucial points Three concepts || All aspects of the topic || In-depth study || How ** || Direct instruction of each step in the research process || Modeling Independent work Review and practice || Minimal instruction with probing questions for independent study || Evaluation ** || Group paper of one page || Five page paper || Power point presentation with computer generated graphics and tables ||
 * How does it work?**
 * || ** Challenged ** || ** Average ** || ** Gifted ** ||
 * ** CONTENT
 * ** PROCESS
 * ** PRODUCT